Chapter 13: The Board and the Blade
After the strength testing concluded, all first-year students were instructed to gather at the main auditorium.
Rows upon rows of students filled the vast hall, their voices echoing softly against the high ceilings. At the center of the stage stood several professors, their presence alone enough to quiet the room. Standing at the very front was an elderly man clad in elegant robes—his posture straight, his gaze calm yet commanding.
A magic sphere hovered beside him.
The moment he placed a hand on it, his voice resonated clearly throughout the auditorium, reaching every corner without strain.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
The entire hall fell silent.
"I am the Headmaster of Valhalla Academy," the man continued, his tone steady.
"It is my pleasure to meet you all, first-year students."
He paused briefly, allowing his presence to sink in.
"My name is Alarion Mystrune."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the students, quickly suppressed as the headmaster continued.
"In this school, all of you will face hardship and struggle," he said.
"But in those moments, you will grow stronger."
His eyes swept across the crowd.
"Never stop moving forward."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"And with that… I welcome you all. Have a pleasant afternoon."
The speech ended.
Applause erupted throughout the auditorium.
Fate Kindspring clapped along with the others, his expression calm but respectful.
(That was… a good speech.)
Once the applause died down, Headmaster Alarion stepped away from the magic sphere and descended from the stage. Another professor immediately took his place.
"Nice to meet you all," the professor addressed the students.
"Starting tomorrow, you will begin attending your classes."
He gestured toward the exits.
"There is a board located in the hallway. It displays your assigned section—ranging from Rank S to Rank E. Whether you are placed in a high or low class will depend on those results."
The professor nodded once.
"That is all. Please proceed to your assigned dormitories and get some rest."
The moment the students exited the auditorium, the hallway quickly became crowded.
Everyone gathered around the board.
The crowd was large—though not as overwhelming as during the strength testing. Still, students whispered among themselves, excitement and anxiety blending together.
Suddenly, the crowd began to part.
For one reason.
The Five High Noble Heirs were passing through.
Eyes followed them wherever they went—some filled with admiration, others with envy.
Yet among all those gazes, one person drew the most attention.
Fate Kindspring.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"It's him, right…?"
"He's from the Kindspring House…"
"I heard he got S-rank in all entrance tests."
Fate ignored the stares.
He stepped closer to the board, scanning the names.
(What is my classroom going to be?)
As he searched, he felt something.
A gaze.
He turned slightly.
A black-haired girl wearing a pointy hat stood at a distance, quietly observing him.
Lisa Astryx.
The moment their eyes met, she froze.
Then—she fled.
"…?"
Fate frowned slightly, confusion crossing his face. After a moment, he shook his head and turned away, deciding to head toward the dormitories.
As he walked, his thoughts lingered.
(Lisa Astryx…)
(She's been watching me since the strength testing ended…)
(What does she want?)
Lost in thought, Fate nearly bumped into someone.
"Nice to meet you, Fate Kindspring."
Fate looked up.
It was Kyle Ashensteel.
"Oh—" Fate straightened.
"You're Kyle Ashensteel, right?"
Kyle smiled faintly. "Yes. That's me."
He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Excuse me… do you have some spare time?"
Fate rubbed the back of his neck.
"Not really. I still need to find my dorm. Why?"
Kyle took a breath.
"If you don't mind… may I request a sparring match with you?"
Fate blinked, then smiled slightly.
"…Sure. Why not?"
"But after that, can you help me find my dorm?"
Kyle nodded confidently.
"That'll be a piece of cake."
"Alright then," Fate said.
"Let's go."
The two headed toward Valhalla Academy's gym.
The space was completely empty—only the two of them stood within the wide training area.
They looked around briefly before approaching the rack of practice weapons, each selecting a sparring sword.
"Shall we begin?" Fate asked.
Kyle raised his blade.
"We shall."
Both assumed their combat stances.
Kyle moved first.
He charged forward, aiming to disarm Fate with a swift maneuver—but Fate reacted instantly, redirecting the trajectory of Kyle's sword.
Kyle recovered immediately.
Steel clashed against steel.
Their blades met again and again, each testing the other, searching for a blind spot.
Then—
Kyle activated a skill.
(Steel-Cutter)
Steel-Cutter
Rarity: Uncommon
– Performs a sword strike capable of cutting even steel.
The empowered strike came down hard.
Fate responded without hesitation, deflecting it with his Flowing Butterfly Sword.
Seizing the opening, Fate attempted a counterattack—but Kyle twisted his blade, refusing to let the momentum slip away.
Kyle swung again.
This time, Fate was knocked back.
He slid across the floor, then quickly regained his footing.
The clash continued.
Neither yielded.
From afar, hidden from their view, Lisa Astryx watched silently.
Her eyes narrowed.
(...Dragon...)
Back in the center of the gym, the duel reached its peak.
Both fighters stepped back, circling one another cautiously.
Then—
Fate rushed forward.
Kyle blocked.
Their swords were already worn, cracks spreading along the practice steel.
Fate raised his hand.
(Crystal Spikes)
Kyle's movement stopped.
His body was immobilized.
But only briefly.
Kyle shattered the restraint and activated another skill.
(Sword Steps)
Sword Steps
Rarity: Uncommon
– Footwork combined with sword techniques to greatly enhance mobility.
Kyle surged forward.
Their blades clashed one final time—
CRACK.
Both swords shattered.
The match ended in a draw.
They stood there, breathing heavily.
Then Kyle laughed.
He extended a hand.
"That was a nice match."
Fate grasped it and stood.
"I can't disagree. That was a great battle."
Afterward, Kyle guided Fate through the academy grounds.
"Students who receive Rank S in either entrance test," Kyle explained,
"are placed in a special building."
He continued,
"That building serves as both your dormitory and your classroom assignment."
Fate listened carefully.
"You'll have your own maid," Kyle added,
"and you'll be assigned to the Rank-S classroom."
"I understand," Fate said.
"Thank you."
Kyle waved it off.
"It's nothing."
Fate stopped walking.
"…Hey."
Kyle turned. "Yes?"
"Do you want to be friends?"
Kyle didn't hesitate.
"I don't even need to think about it," he said with a grin.
"Of course."
The two continued toward their dormitory together.
From a distance, a black-haired girl in a pointy hat watched them silently.
Lisa Astryx.
Chapter 13 End